Blues drop opener at Vancouver

Daniel Sedin scored a goal and set up Sami Salo’s power-play slap shot in the second period, and Roberto Luongo made 25 saves to help the Canucks beat the Blues 2-1 in game one of the Western Conference quarterfinal series.

The Blues are a top 10 team in scoring on the power play and third best in penalty killing, but Vancouver average at best in both categories grabbed the advantage off special teams.

The Canucks killed off the first six St. Louis power plays. Brad Boyes finally scored on the seventh power play opportunity with 1:44 left in the second period to pull the Blues within a goal, but that was all the Blues would muster. Vancouver, 14-1-1 at home since Feb. 1, hosts Game 2 of Friday night.